1888 N76 Duke "Great Americans" SGC-Graded Complete Set (51)

Complete set of fifty 1888 N76 Duke "Great Americans” plus one variation (both poses of Beecher) for a total of 51 cards, all graded and encapsulated by SGC. This is a very strong set of these extremely striking nineteenth-century tobacco cards with forty-seven cards ranging from Vg-Ex to Ex-Mt, three are Vg, and one slightly lesser (Good). Advanced collectors have long considered the N76 Duke "Great Americans" series to be one of the most impressive and desirable of all nineteenth-century nonsport tobacco-card sets, and it is easy to why. The complete SGC condition composite follows:Twelve EX/NM 80: J. Cooper, Forrest, Garfield, Jackson, Jefferson, Kane, Key, Logan, Longfellow, Morse, Payne, and Seward. Eight EX+ 70: P. Cooper, Edison, Franklin, Howe, Irving, Perry, Wayne, and N. Webster. Sixteen EX 60: Barrett, Beecher (facing left), Clay, Clemens, Ericsson, Fulton, Henry, Holmes, Jones, Lincoln, Penn, Scott, Stanley, Sumner, Washington, and D. Webster. Eleven VG/EX 50: Adams, Booth, Farragut, Grant, Greeley, Hamilton, Hawthorne, Poe, Smith, West, and Whittier. Three VG 40: Girard, Hancock, and Sheridan. One GOOD 30: Beecher (facing right). Issued with Duke's Cigarettes, the set is entitled "Great Americans," and as the set title implies, these cards feature famous Americans from all walks of life. Each insert card measures 2.75 x 1.5 inches and features a portrait image of a historical figure (such as George Washington, Thomas Edison, Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain, Ben Franklin, etc.) on the front with a checklist presented on the reverse. This is an extremely attractive set with outstanding eye-appeal. Duke's "Great Americans" are rarely offered as a complete set, and are highly prized by both historical collectors and nineteenth-century nonsport tobacco-card collectors. Total: 51 cards. Reserve $500. Estimate $1,000/$2,000+.SOLD FOR $3,300

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